A recent Vanity Fair article focusing on "Microsoft's Lost Decade" has put Redmond's troubles in a very interesting light, noting that Apple's iPhone -- a product that didn't even exist until five years ago -- is now worth more than all of Microsoft's products put together.

GoodGuide, a website that reviews companies based on their impact on health, the environment and society, has had an iPhone application for a while that allowed you to search through the more than 65,000 products they have in their database. Recently, however, they updated the application to include a barcode scanner, making it even easier to search for the "good" in any product.

A new analyst report claims that Apple could release new products in September. Among the new refreshes are a new iPod touch, new iPod nanos, and two new models of Apple's ultra-portable MacBook Air notebook. There have been multiple rumors surrounding a new iPod touch with a FaceTime camera, complementing Apple's ever changing product lineup.

In this month's
contest, we challenge you to describe a consumer electronics product
you think Apple should make. To enter this contest, provide the
following: your product's name; a description of its basic purpose and
features set; and a description of your product's essential
"Appleness," from both an aesthetics and functionality standpoint.
Accompanying illustrations are welcome, but not required. Submissions
will be judged by their originality, level of detail, and adherence to
Apple design precedents.

Apple and its partners released hundreds upon hundreds of compelling products this year. We scoured the hardware universe, tested the heck out of the most intriguing gear we found, and now share our exclusive list of the 15 very best.

Apple watchers are well aware that the company is planning to release
some sort of tablet computer, and given Apple’s recent history of
making surprise announcements, that could very well happen between the
day we put this issue to bed and the day you read this article. But
what if the tablet rumors are bunkum? And even if the tablet is
announced, what comes next? Jaw-dropping products can take years to
develop, and Apple surely has tablet-eclipsing wonders brewing in its
labs.

What will be Apple's next super-product--its next spectacular, game-changing "one more thing"? We asked five Apple experts to
brainstorm with abandon and then brought their ideas to life.